An inexperienced New Zealand team shot to the top of the international sevens rugby standings after upsetting favourites South Africa in the George tournament final today (NZ time).
South Africa won last weekend's Dubai title when they beat New Zealand in the final.
However, the Gordon Tietjens coached New Zealand with one of their most inexperienced line ups in the recent years turned the tables on the hosts 24-17 after leading 10-5 at halftime.
Tietjens said he was extremely proud of his young team and didn't think they could match the big and fast South Africans after a draining 29-12 win over Fiji in the semifinal.
"I thought they emptied the tank in the semis," Tietjens said.
New Zealand captain DJ Forbes said his team were "quietly very determined" to go all the way at George to give Tietjens a "nice birthday present".
New Zealand have now beaten last year's series winners and top seeds this year Fiji twice after eliminating them in the playoffs at Dubai last weekend.
In the final South Africa scored first but New Zealand capitalised on their errors twice and Alfred Pelenise and Zar Lawrence darted down to give New Zealand a 10-5 lead at halftime.
South Africa looked nervous at the start of the second half and the outstanding Nigel Hunt crossed for his 13th try in just two tournaments.
South Africa showed all the signs of a comeback when Philip Burger scored, but Pelenise killed off their chances when he cut through the middle for his second try.
The victory put New Zealand on equal terms (36 points) with South Africa at the top of the series with England and Fiji on 24 points each.
"South Africa played very well throughout both tournaments and today's final was based on a magnificent defence by both teams, it was a great final I thought," Tietjens said.
It was New Zealand's first win in a final since the Singapore tournament last year.
New Zealand dispatched Waisale Serevi's impressive Fijians in the semifinal with the help of tries from Lawrence, Willie Rickards and Edwin Cocker.
South Africa came from behind to overcome a competitive young England side 10-7, with Burger grabbing the decisive try, in the other semifinal.
New Zealand started showed good form from the quarterfinals when they beat France 29-0.
Though it took three minutes to open the scoring through Pelenise, they showed just how dangerous they could be, when they counter-attacked from turnover ball inside their own 22. Lawrence made good ground before putting Hunt clear for a try. Cocker scored after a messy French scrum, again turned over ball and New Zealand led 19-0 at halftime.
When Lachie Munro stretched New Zealand lead with their fourth try, France's body language signalled they couldn't compete anymore.
NZPA